Insect trap



Sept 22, 93l- G. R. GALBRAITH INsEcT TRAP Filed Jan. 27. 1930 D O O O 550,:155 ,57; DA m /TH nUenlor Attorney Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATE-s GEORGE R. GALBRAITII, vOF BREWSTER, WASHINGTON INSECT maar Ap'pneationvfned January 27, leso.' serial No. 423,611.

My present invention relates to'an im# proved insect trap ofthe electrocuting type, and designed especially ,for usef'in fruit orchards and other places,-`where"the traps 5 are suspended in lsuitable numbers, in the air, either by the lead wires from the source of electrical supply, or by other overhead supports. By the use of the trap of my invention, the insects, or other pests, are electrocuted as they are trapped, and come in contact with two electrodes that form the trap, to produce the electrocuting shock for annihilating the insects or other pests. A collection receptacle is provided into which the electrocuted insects fall from the trap, in order that an inspection may be made of the collected bodies, for identification, to ascertain the approximate numberof different insects, and for acquiring other data or inv formation of value to the orchardist.

In carrying out my invention I utilize an odorous, volatile, liquid or fluid bait, which will slowly evaporate, and from which odorous fumes emanate that are calculated to attract the insects to the trap. Means are provided for replenishing the supply of bait, from time to time, as the bait evaporates, and at these times the accumulated electrocuted insects are gathered for inspection,

The invention consists in certain novel combinations .and arrangements of parts whereby a compactly built trap is produced, which is simple in construction, and which may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost of production, and which is eilicient in the performance of its functions.A

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a trap involving my present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing one of the terminals for an electrode of the trap, with a resistance coil as one of the conductors. Figure 3 is an exterior View in elevation of the trap.

In the preferred form of my invention I utilize an outer, reticulated cylinder l and a concentric, spaced, inner, perforated cylinder 2, the latter having holes 3 therein to 5o permit passage of the bait-fumes in order that tliey'will be disseminated through the surrounding atmosphere.- The space between the two concentric cylinders which form the two electrodes, is

open at the bottom to permit the insects to enter, and this annular space is suiiiciently narrow to insure that the insect will contact simultaneously with both electrodes to provide theelectrocuting shock.

At its upper Gnd the metallic Cylinder 2 is fashioned' with suspending straps or tongues l that are passed up through vertically arranged holes in a flat cap-block 5 of insulating material, and the ends ofA these g tongues or ingersare turned down at 4 to secure them to the cap-block.

The outer cylinder is also supported from the cap-block orhead-block 5 and for this purpose the reticulated cylinder is provided withA a top ring or screw band 6 that is threaded on complementary exterior threads of the circular block 5.

On the block are supported the terminals for the electrodesl the terminal 7 beinO 'connected by conductor 8 to the recticulated cylinder l, andthe terminal 9 being connected by a conductor, in. thek form of a resistance coil 10 to the inner cylinder 2;

The coil 10 is designed and used as a safety 7;,

insects, is contained in a reservoir 13 supif?.

ported beneath the trap, and the'top 14l of this reservoir,'which 'is fashioned'with an upper iange 15 forms the collection receptacle into /which the electrocuted kinsects drop from the trap and are gathered Vfor the i described purposes.

,"The reservoir is suspended'from the innen cylinder 2 of the trapgby'nieans of a plu-VV rality of spring detente 16, riveted or otherwise secured to the top of the reservoir, V

and at theirfupper free ends thesedetents 18, and the tubular stem, eli'ectually `closes the bottom of the Acylinder against entrance of insects therethrough.

y Vithin the reservoir, a central, threaded boss '21 is fastened to the reservoir-bottom, and a stand pipe 22 is threaded on the boss, said pipe being of a length to extend up to and yterminate at the underside of the head block.

kNear the bottom of the pipe, holes or outlet ports 23 are provided, .and the reservoir may be filled with the -liquid bait through these ports by the use of a funnel 24 which is located above the heard block and has its stem25 .secured .in a socket block 26 at `the center or' the .head-block.

It will be apparent that .the liquid bait is poured through the funnel, and the reservoirV l'led to the required capacity as the liquid passes vdown the pipe `and through the ports to the interior ofthe reservoir.

. To assist in the dissemination of the fumes 5 from the (evaporating liquid I utilize a tubular wick 27 that surrounds the stand pipe, and extends down between ithe pipe and the tubular stem 19, tothe bottoni of the reservoir. By capillary attraction the liquid and the bait, or .the -odors from the bait are disseminated into the inner cylinder, through yits perforated wall, and out to theatmosphere through the reticulated cylinder or outer v'trap .member l.

'Having thus fully described my invention, what I claimvas new and desi-re to secure by Letters Patent is Y V1. The combination with an insect trap, of a bait-reservoir suspended therebenea'th, said reservoir having a closed top and an annular exterior on. the top forming a collec'tionreceptacle, means for .suspending the reservoir below the trap, means supported on theV reservoir for closing the central,

' lower, open end of the trap, and means .for

i'l'lii 0 the reservoir with bait.

2.V he combination withan leleotrocuting.

o insect trap, .of .a lower bait reservoir having a closed flanged top forming `a collection receptacle, supporting detentsgon the top xed toV theflower end of the trap, a stand pipe having ports within the .reservoir and 5 extending up into the traip and means for bait rises in the meshes .of the tubular wickv a. capillary wick surrounding said stand ipe. p 3. The combination with an electrocuting insect trap, of a lower bait reservoir and means for suspending it from the trap, a stand pipe having ports within the reser- Voir, rigid with the reservoir and pro'ecting upwardly into the trap, means for filhng the reservoir through said pipe, a tubular stem yon the reservoir surrounding part of the pipe, and a tubular, capillary wick surrounding said pipe.

4.-'The combination with an electrocuting insect trap, of a reservoir suspended therefrom and forming Aa collection receptacle, a stand pipe having ports and secured in the reservoir, a tubular stemon the reservoir surrounding part of the' pipe, a tapered closure plate surrounding the stem, and a tubula-ry, capillary wick surrounding the pipe.

In Vtestimony whereof I aix my signature.

GEORGE R. GALBRAITH A filling-the reservoir through lsaid pipe, and. n l 

